'RAA Kelly', the TAFE SA solar car, is currently being prepared for the 2009 World Solar Car Challenge. Following on from it's debut in 2001, RAA Kelly is undergoing some modifications in its preparation for an improved performance in the World Solar Challenge 18-25 October, 2009.
'RAA Kelly' was originally constructed as a project to improve on the original vehicle, 'Ned', which was designed and manufactured by the South Australian Solar Car Consortium of Uni SA.
2007 RAA Kelly entered the Adventure class category:
The 2007 event had 52 entries from 23 countries with Challenge, Adventure and Technology categories. The Adventure category enables a more flexible approach to vehicle specifications with involvement as an adventure.
RAA Kelly's participation in the World Solar Challenge:
2007: 10th Adventure class
2005: 2nd place in Production class (12th place overall)
2003: 1st place in Production class (8th place overall)
2001: entered/warmup (due to technical difficulties, did not get a placing)
Kelly is located, maintained and upgraded at TAFE SA Regency Campus. Regency Campus has been providing Renewable Energy studies since 2002 to licenced electricians and is seeking Business Council of Sustainable Energy (BCSE) accreditation to carry out installation work, as well training for those with a personal interest in this emerging field.
Student research and development projects currently underway include redesigning the steering mechanism, new lightweight wheels and the design and construction of a replacement high efficiency motor controller. Further research is being carried out into the solar panel array as well as the electronic solar optimisers to ensure maximum energy from the sun is captured.
Educational Aims of the project are to:
- take science and technology to students to encourage and foster their interest in future developments in alternative energies;
- encourage students to research, design and build vehicles powered by renewable energy;
- ensure that student projects incorporate educational concepts and are able to be competency assessed by the performance of each stage. Competencies link to Certificates II and IV in Electrotechnology, focussing on renewable energy;
- promote alternative/renewable energy to the community and to encourage career decisions towards Electrotechnology related training/employment, particularly to design and manufacture solar, wind, fuel cell or electric vehicles
Renewable Energy Lecturer, Aussie
Kanck and Educational Manager,
Gerry Paay with some solar panels
and a small wind turbine.
"Regency Campus has been providing Renewable Energy studies since 2002 to licenced electricians seeking Business Council of Sustainable Energy (BCSE) accreditation to carry out installation work, as well as training for those with a personal interest in this emerging field.
Development of appropriate links with industry bodies, in pursuit of/and maintenance of related process and product goals, remain the focus of the Renewable Energy Centre at Regency Campus" said Gerry Paay, Educational Manager, Utilities & Aviation, TAFE SA Regency Campus
Promotional activities for the TAFE SA 'RAA Kelly' solar car include the input and delivery of seminars, exposure at career open days and Science, Technology and Energy related expos, and specifically in participation of the Challenge.